Ducati 750SS

This motor cycle is based on the 750 ccm racing bike, on which Paul Smart was able to win the 200 mile race of Imola in 1972. The difference between the 750GT and the 750SS are the different cylinder heads, improved brakes, the design and the assembly in the racing department.

After the legendary double victory in Imola, it was decided to build a small street legal lot of the racing bike. The 750SS was built by hand in the racing department. For example only the mounting of the complete engine took two days. As a result the engines were almost as precise as those of the racing bikes and far ahead of the other street bikes (the street bike engine completion took only one day). In 1973 and 1974 411 units were produced. The engine's case cover was originally based on the 750GT. Later on the production was done with the edge engine, which was based on the 860GT with a cubic capacity of 750 ccm. Most bikes were bought by private teams and reworked or modified into racing bikes. As a result the 750SS achieved success world wide.

The engine produced 65 horse powers on the rear wheel and reached a maximum RPM of 8500. The compression was 9,8:1. The valve angle was 80 degrees, this technique reaches back to the 100 Gran Sport also called Marianna. The oil pan had a capacity of 5 litres. The cylinder angle was 90 degrees resulting in a low vibrant engine. Two 40 mm Dell'Orto carburettors were used and the five speed manual was on the front right hand side.

A normal steel tube frame was used and the engine carried along the design.

The housing, gas tank and the seat support are made out of GFK. The frame is painted in turquoise, as well as the underside of the housing. The other housing part, the shield, the gas tank and the seat support are painted in white and silver. The design (except for the colours) was later on used for the 900SS.

Since most of them were modified into racing bikes, the standard spec 750SS bikes today are very rare and enjoy a high value.